Monthly Archives: August 2025

August 13, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 13, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 13, 1959: A beauty contest winner comes to Hollywood, gets a job — then drops out and joins the Beats in Venice, Paul Coates writes. Continue reading →

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August 13, 1947: ‘Cuando Lloran los Valientes’

Posted on August 13, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 13, 1947: The Times reviewed Mexican movies, like Cuando Lloran los Valientes. Continue reading →

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1944 in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons, August 13, 1944

Posted on August 13, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 13, 1944: Michael Curtiz is one of the few people in the world allowed to address Louella Parsons as “Lolly.” Continue reading →

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August 13, 1942: Times Visits African American Troops

Posted on August 13, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 13, 1942: The Times visits a company of Black soldiers — but the story is one stereotype after another. Continue reading →

Posted in 1942, Art & Artists, Comics, World War II | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

August 12, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on August 12, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 12, 1959: Trying to talk to Soviet performers visiting L.A. is a challenge, Matt Weinstock says. Continue reading →

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August 12, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 12, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 12, 1959: A retired teacher has an idea for a simplified spelling system, Paul Coates writes. And Dear Abby has advice about the widower who buries his wife on Monday and asks for a date on Saturday. Continue reading →

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August 12, 1947: Distinguished UCLA English Instructor Dies in Plunge from S.F. Building; ‘He Was Not Married’

Posted on August 12, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 12, 1947: Dr. Stanley Dean Johnson, a specialist in the works of John Donne at UCLA, has been spending the summer at the Huntington Library. He is a brilliant scholar and popular with faculty and staff. But in August 1947 he plunged from the 15th floor of San Francisco’s Russ Building. He was 39 and “not married.” Continue reading →

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August 12, 1944, in Print — Hollywood News and Gossip by Louella Parsons

Posted on August 12, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 12, 1944: Laird Cregar had a change of heart after going on eight weeks suspension, Louella Parsons says. Horoscope for Leo: Much depends upon your disposition, cheery manner. Continue reading →

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‘Ask Me Anything’ on George Hodel – August 19

Posted on August 12, 2025 by lmharnisch

Reminder: I will do an Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel next Tuesday, August 19, at 10 a.m. Pacific time on YouTube. Have questions? Leave them in the comments. Continue reading →

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Aug. 12-13, 1907: Bucket of Blood Is a Den of Drunken Debauchery

Posted on August 12, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 12, 1907: The L.A. Times describes the Bismark Cafe, known to police as the Bucket of Blood, as “drunken debauchery among girls of tender ages, painted women and men.” It is an “immoral pesthole” where “young girls are enticed nightly do drink and listen to a band concert.” Continue reading →

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August 11, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on August 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 11, 1959: When driving, cellist Gregor Piatigorsky only takes right turns and refuses to make a left, Matt Weinstock says. Continue reading →

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August 11, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on August 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 11, 1959: Paul Coates wonders how Madison Avenue would change Nikita Khrushchev’s image as the Soviet leader is about to visit the U.S. Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Paul Coates | 2 Comments

August 11, 1969: Ritual Killings Terrorize L.A.

Posted on August 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

Here is Deputy District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi’s opening statement in the Tate-La Bianca murders of August 9-10, 1969. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | Comments Off on August 11, 1969: Ritual Killings Terrorize L.A.

Aug. 11, 1947: Two Men Found Shot to Death in Bizarre Mystery

Posted on August 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 11, 1947: Two men are found shot to death in a motel room on Cahuenga Boulevard. They were fully clothed except for their shoes. Continue reading →

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August 11, 1941: Van Nuys Plane Crash Kills 2

Posted on August 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 11, 1941: Two men are killed when their plane goes into a spin during a flying lesson and crashes into a bean field. Plus Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood. Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on August 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

For Monday, we have a mysterious lad. Continue reading →

Posted in 1935, Animals, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: ‘What Happened to Mary’ Introduces Cross-Promotions

Posted on August 11, 2025 by lmharnisch

Mary Mallory looks at one of the earliest examples of film cross-promotion, which the Edison Co. used for its 1912 serial ‘What Happened to Mary,’ Continue reading →

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August 10, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on August 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 10, 1959: Mail from outer space? Matt Weinstock has the story. Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, August 10, 1959

Posted on August 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 10, 1959: Paul Coates on the dangers of signing a blank contract. And Dear Abby has the case of the road-tripping husband. Continue reading →

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August 10, 1958: Dog IQ Test

Posted on August 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

August 10, 1958: Is your doggo smart? Give them the doggie IQ test. They may score one point higher than Einstein!! Continue reading →

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